How and When Do You Disclose Your Disability?

[ILADVOCATE]

I was asked to cut and paste this question to this forum so here it is.Wondering when people disclose their disabilities and to whom? Before recovery I disclosed about my schizoaffective disorder to family and friends but obviously not to people I didn't know (except at consumer presentations). Now I have a Medicalert pendant stating "tardive dyskinesia" and I don't tell everyone upfront but if someone saw it and had concerns I'd be happy to explain it. Of course if I recovered enough to return to work I would not (and people should not) disclose my disability before I got hired. But not everyone discloses to all the people they know. But probably some. But where do people draw the line? This is not a poll as the answers would vary widely. Just interested and I know everyone's perspective varies but my mine comes from the one discussed in the book: "No Pity : People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement". Worth reading just for an understanding of how to approach the issue of disability acceptance overall though I appreciate and respect everyone's viewpoints.

[RobinHood70]

Well, in my case, it's fairly absolute...I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and I'm housebound for all intents and purposes, so I'm forced to disclose that immediately with any new friends or prospective employers.

[PlateletGal]

Thank you for posting here !

[kiddthekatt]

  To be quite honest with you, I'm not certain how or when I would decide to tell anyone that I have Fibromyalgia and CFS. I am so newly diagnosed (less than a year) I still try to hide it at times. I know, you all are trying to figure out how I do that. I try but have not accomplished it yet.

   My family knows and so do my closest friends. I've had everal people in the doctor's office ask me what was wrong, and I told them. One man gave me that "look" and my husband came to my defense. When he finished, this man had a different outlook on Fibro. I was in awe because my husband understood far more than I thought that he did. So, I guess my answer would have to be I would tell right off. I also wear a medic alert bracelet, I'm allergic to all shellfish.

gentle hugs
Angel

[Phtartist]

I recently signed up for a huge art project making a Christmas display in the town square. We'd be doing the tree. I wrote of my qualifications, I was offered the position, I said due to my disability and limited energy, I would appreciate help, I have Fibromyalgia.
No Problem.

Now in the same instance if I told them, due to my bipolar disorder, if my medication isn't working for some reason, or depression hits, I will need a stand in, I get the feeling that would be better left unsaid unless it happens. In some cases other people's ignorance, is our bliss.

I say, choose wisely what you share.  If you'll need support from who you tell, then they should know, otherwise, put it in God's hands and if the occasion arrises and it should be told, do so.

Do you see other people feeling the need or wondering if they should tell people they have IBS (irritable bowel syn), no you don't, that can be just as debilitating.

[VaBreeze]

In the US an employer can't ask about disabilities on the job application.  If they do, it's recommended that it be left blank.  Laws from the ADA protect those rights of the handicapped or disabled.  Of course, should you have an obvious disability they may inquire during an interview as to how you can perform the job duties with it (you must be able to perform the duties with reasonable accommodations).  If you have a 'hidden' disability, it's up to you whether to disclose this information or not.  Some may do it up front, like Phtartist did, because they need help.  Others may take a chance and not mention it until something happens regarding it, because that may be when one needs an accommodation.  

I no longer work, but should anyone I don't know well ask about my condition, I simply say that I had a bad fall and had surgery on my leg.  I do not get detailed about my fibro., anxiety, depression or any other ailment I have.  They don't require a need to know.  My family and friends are all aware of my health.  When I did find my part-time job, I told my employer during the interview that I had a permanent leg injury and that I was not able to do a lot of walking, heavy lifting or long hour shifts.  She has worked with me as far as getting me access to the shop through a door closer to the handicap spots, not asking me to do longer shifts and things of that nature.  It's working out well for me and for her.

Good point Phtartist about the IBS.  

[SIMMY20]

hello, hope you are well..i have had fibro, plus a few other things for quite a while now and i no longer work,{hospital retired me } at fist i would tell people how i felt and how i was affected by these conditions but i no longer bother to tell anyone {sick of the ,you look allright to me remarks!} and i found that people would try to avoid me rather than talk, guess it,s not much fun listening to someone who tends to talk about their pains! and when the pains started good and proper my social life stopped.oh oh better go now feel a good moan coming on ha ha. take care and hope you have close sympathetic friiends!  {there are loads on here it,s great, i love it!}